Emma Bartone

The Nature Deficit Disorder article was relatable to me because I have struggled with ADD growing up which has made it harder to focus on schoolwork and take longer to work on certain tasks. I am prescribed one of the medications for ADD, Vyvanse, however, sometimes I don’t like the way it makes me feel so instead I’ll go for a run or sit outside to be able to clear my head and focus better throughout the day. The article states how many parents notice changes in their children’s stress levels and hyperactivity when they spend time outside which I could not agree with more. Engaging in nature definitely soothes and relaxes you so that it makes you focus on completing tasks better. It also says how “being in nature was more restorative than the physically challenging activities” which is true because even if I just sit down outside when I’m stressed and take in nature and everything around me, I am able to clear my mind and get things done quicker and efficiently. The ...

I feel most at home where I grew up in Connecticut. I grew up in Darien, Connecticut which is a beautiful small town on the water which has a beautiful environment with parks, ponds, trees, fields, and beaches. It is right next to two major cities, so it is a nice, quiet escape from the busy cities with tons of people and traffic. I feel like I identify most with the busy city life and the quiet small-town life because I spent a lot of time in the city since it was only a 45-minute train ride away and that's where I feel most at home. I feel most at home and connected to nature when I'm there whether it be walking around, sitting on the beach or hanging out at the parks. I grew up in a small neighborhood next to a soccer field where my neighbors and I would run around and play manhunt and all sorts of games together. The book states how children who spend time directly experiencing natural processes and materials are more likely to grow into adults who care about t...

Cypress dome trees The trail walk was very informative and perfectly timed. There was a lot of information put into a short amount of time which kept everyone's attention. I was shocked at how environmentally friendly and sustainable our campus is. I just transferred this semester from UConn and was amazed at how eco-friendly our school is compared to my old one. I was not previously aware of all the additions our University has already made and is continuing to make in order to stay sustainable. This is a perfect example of sustainability because as stated in the textbook, it interconnects the three main pillars of sustainability: ecological, economic, and social. I thought it was really interesting how the floor in Seidler Hall was made from recycled tires. I also was not aware of FGCU's unique air conditioning technique. It was really cool to know that large blocks of ice are formed during the night when energy costs are low and then used to ...

I grew up spending a lot of time outside and in nature. My favorite childhood memories were going to parks with my sister and family and going to the beach in my town. I loved being apart of the generation that wasn't all about technology and iPads at such a young age because I experienced so much in nature growing up. I would play outside in my backyard every single day with my neighbors and explore. As I grew up, I started appreciating the beauty of nature and my surroundings. I love going for runs in the park by my house and down to the beach. Nature is meaningful to me because it is a good place to get away from reality and relax. This reminds me of the Knowledge Extinction article because as a child, pollution wasn't as big of an issue as it is today. The article says how people may take the natural environment they encounter during childhood as the norm against which to measure pollution later in their life. Today in this generation, pollution has become a way bigger issu...